He was cool and understated, the slightest bit aloof. She choked up as she told young minority girls to follow their dreams.

He gave speeches. She gave hugs. And while Barack Obama came to Europe as the American president, Michelle Obama came as something entirely different  almost an American tourist, but the kind even jaded Europeans could love, big-hearted, curious, sophisticated yet accessible.

They simply melted for Michelle.

Of course, the Europeans were eager to gush over a First Couple not named Bush. In fact, if one of the White Houses goals for this trip is repair the U.S. reputation abroad after the Bush era, Michelle was an equal partner in the effort, in ways different from her husband.

Barack Obama wins them over with a personal style and an embrace of internationalism that seems almost European. Michelle Obama is the approachable one, fashionable yet down-to-earth, and effusive (rubbing the Queens back!) in an endearing way.

She still seems to be wide eyed in the job and pinching herself as if she cant believe it, because who would have predicted this?" said Joanna Coles, who is British and is editor-in-chief of Marie Claire.

"And thats whats exciting about her, and thats what exciting about America, and thats what she represents, Coles said.

How does one explain the adulation of this: - Unaccomplished and rather juvenile in intellect - Unappreciative American until she firmly sucked the public tit into her mouth. - Member of a black racist church that taught Black Liberation Theology. - Zero fashion sense - Zero personal style or grace - Profited from her husband's position by “scamming” $300K/yr for a “make work” job that hasn't been filled since she left.

To hear this woman being referred to as “classy” and reflective of America's new “Camelot” and the new Jackie O — is asinine..

Michelle my Belle wouldn't amount to more than a blackhead on Jackie O’s derriere....

12
posted on 04/04/2009 5:17:44 PM PDT
by river rat
(Semper Fi - You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)

Just like Barack could do no wrong in the run-up to the election. 20-year close association with racist America-hater J. Wright? "He didn't know." The most liberal voting record in the Senate? Ignored. The fact that his political mentors (Saul Alinsky and Frank Marshall Davis) were communists? Swept under the rug. Friends (and perhaps very close associates) with unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers? "He was only 8 years old at the time."

The list of instances where the media and/or the electorate either ignored or made excuses for Obama's wretched past is endless.

She is a great galumphing middle-aged woman who dresses too young, can’t even button a sweater correctly, but who can, with professional assistance, look acceptable about one time out of five. She can look attractive for a few moments at a time, but not for the extended periods demanded of someone in her position. I cannot fathom why she wasn’t given a crash course in deportment. Perhaps she rejected any advice. She may have advisers who are telling her that authenticity trumps polish.

I can almost believe some of this, depending on whom they are polling. I have traveled to resorts filled with Europeans and, for the most part, I have found them without graces and their vaunted fashion sense seems non-existent. They are usually quite frugal to the point of being cheap and I can see where they could relate to Michelle. Certainly, she is not threatening in the looks and fashion departments, so perhaps they are giving her a pass out of compassion or condescension.

I have been in countries with a native educated class that was black. Those women were charming, dressed very well and their public deportment was exquisite. Certainly, the European elites have experienced such women. I wonder what they think, privately. The contrasts would be so apparent.

If one didn’t have experience with aggressive American blacks, perhaps that wouldn’t be their reaction. Back in the day when I went to school, the black students were fairly normal. I don’t recall anyone who was looking for a fight. I think that changed in the 70s.

18
posted on 04/04/2009 5:30:54 PM PDT
by reformedliberal
(Are we at high crimes and misdemeanors, yet?)

Well, I was over in London for most of the week, and there is no broad based adoration that I saw. I asked people there - explained that our media in the US tells us how much Europeans like the Obamas - is that true? Everyone said, no, they see them as just very liberal politicians. Maybe the European media adores them too, but the regular people see through the charade and are very worried. Let’s face it, if the world is waiting for Obama to fix this mess. we’re sunk, and the Europeans know it.

I’ve been thinking about the protocol issue, and how “those people” could have been sooo ignorant about proper behavior. I think that probably every time he (and she) was/is supposed to meet with the protocol people, they either cancel the meeting, or just go yeahyeahyeah and don’t listen to a word they say. Apparently they didn’t realise that millions of people hold their breaths in situations like that to see how the new americans will do, and “those people” flunked terribly.

38
posted on 04/04/2009 5:47:14 PM PDT
by ichabod1
(I am rolling over in my grave and I am not even dead yet (GOP Poet))

I think she can look attractive at times.. with help from make overs and etc.. but I wish some one would tell her how to stand.. she is bow legged and needs to put one leg in front and slightly to the side.. this would be a great improvement

The clue is, France and Germany have moved to the right, so the bloody-minded americans have to GALLOP to the left.

I am never in favor of trying to emulate Europeans... staying out of their affairs is what made this country great, but we really ought to be able to take a clue from them about what DOESN’T work.

But, here’s the deal. The old commie refrain was that communism is good, but Stalin and Mao didn’t do it right. So, soft communism was tried in western europe. It failed too, so now they say, the only way it’s going to work is if the whole world is made to embrace it. And that’s where we are now, One World Government.

45
posted on 04/04/2009 5:52:43 PM PDT
by ichabod1
(I am rolling over in my grave and I am not even dead yet (GOP Poet))

Oh my, my best friend (who encountered that group quite a bit) remarked on the same thing. There were girls who were our friends, and there were girls with chips on their shoulders. Michelle was one of the girls you would encounter in the bathroom. No matter how much she wants to paint herself as the sweet little girl who got good grades and ‘talked white’. She is no Condi Rice, now THAT woman was grace, elegance, charm and strength all rolled into one. But because she worked under the Bush Administration, she wasn’t given the credit she was due. They are trying to make Michelle out to be what Condi was and she just isn’t.

Sadly, the older we got, the less friends we had and more moved over to the chipped shoulder side.

47
posted on 04/04/2009 5:57:51 PM PDT
by autumnraine
(Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose- Kris Kristoferrson VIVA LA REVOLUTION!)

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